Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

Thanks so much for all of those who participated!  Looks like our winner #8 commenter, is anonymous!  LOL!  Here’s the comment:

Anonymous said...

cAN'T WAIT TO PLACE MY ORDER--I NEED A NEW SIPPY CUP TOO! SUCH DARLING THINGS! mAKES ME HAPPY JUST TO LOOK!! JENNIFER

November 15, 2008 6:30 AM

So, Jennifer, reveal yourself to me so I can give you your 50% off coupon!  Thanks SOOO much to all those who participated!  I promise to do more of these promotions here on the blog. 

Everyone else, please enjoy a 20% off coupon that EXPIRES TOMORROW 11-20-08!  Please enter “RANDOM20” at checkout to redeem your discount!

Thanks again & happy holiday shopping!!

PS- shoppers who come to the Helen Brett show this weekend in New Orleans, will receive a special prize with any purchase :)

Freaky Friday Random Giveaway

Let’s try this on for size… leave a comment & I will pick, at random, 20 commenters & give them a % off coupon.  %ages will be random & only 20 people will be given a discount code.  Hurry & comment.. one lucky winner will receive 50% off their purchase!!!

Let your your friends, co workers, family members, etc know about the giveaway… The coupon code will be good for 24 hours only & each winner will be given a different code for checkout…

good luck!!

laurie

Patience, please!

I wanted to post a quick update since I have been gone so long.  I am waaaay behind on orders & would like to ask that you practice good patience during this holiday season.  Order processing time is around 7-10 business days right now plus transit time.  Most of the time, orders will go out before that but please allow this much time for processing this time of year.

The deadline for USPS order processing is Monday, December 1st.  I will then disable the USPS calculator & you will only be able to choose UPS as your shipping method.  Sorry about this but the USPS gets so backed up as most of you know during the holidays.  you will then have just 2 weeks to shop before I am shutting it down until the 1st of 2009.  December 15th will be the final day I accept any orders for Christmas delivery.  Anything after that cannot be guaranteed to make it before Christmas.

Thanks so much for your business!!!  I am busy, busy, busy right now so please do be patient :)  Also, please utilize the “Track My Order” feature during this time for up to date shipping info.  If your order is not listed as shipped in your login, chances are, it’s still in production/processing.  Feel free to email for updates as time goes on.

ONE MORE THING!!!  If you ever need something for a specific date, event, etc… PLEASE LIST THE EVENT DATE IN THE COMMENTS SECTION AT THE END OF THE ORDER!  Even though you email me to find out a shipping date, these dates that I provide ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE so I definitely need GOOD DATES from you as to when you need your stuff in hands.

ttfn!!

*laurie

Pocket Purse Calendars

Check them out!  Newest item added to the MEware product brand… Personalized Pocket Purse Calendars.  We found a great source for these after many requests to add them to the product listing.  Moderately priced at $10 each we think these will be a huge hit this holiday season.

Click here to shop!

enjoy*laurie

Computer Crash!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please bear with me as my hard drive crashed last night! I woke this morning to the blue screen of DEATH! I am on the phone w/Dell right now learning that my hard drive has CRASHED & I won't be receiving a new one for a few days. So, extended warranty, CHECK. More RAM, check. UGHHHH!H!!!!!!!!!
Luckily I have an external hard drive where most everything from my computer is backed up. But not everything.. so MORE $$ for a tech to retrieve the files from my CRASHED hard drive that the warranty does NOT cover... what a pain in the arse!
*laurie

Custom Design Deadlines!!

All custom holiday photo cards will have to be ordered/placed no  later than Sunday, November 9th!  This is probably too late to extend the deadline but I will keep it at that so I can be sure to meet everyone's deadlines.

Thanks!

*laurie

Junior League of New Orleans Holiday Shopping Card

Beginning this Thursday, October 23rd through Sunday, November 2nd, the JLNO presents the 2nd annual New Orleans Holiday Shopping Card event.  By purchasing a Holiday Shopping Card for $50, you are entitled to a 20% discount to participating merchants!  We are one of them & would love for you to participate!  Please click here to purchase a card.  If you purchase a card & your purchase is validated by the JLNO, I will honor the 20% discount online.  PLEASE contact me before shopping as I will need to issue a special shopping code exclusively for you. 

A little bio taken from the JLNO website:

The Junior League of New Orleans is committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving our community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Through its educational and charitable works, the JLNO enriches the lives of so many in our area. (click here to read more)

Thanks for your business & please join me in participating in this wonderful annual fundraiser!

*laurie

Christmas items arriving today!

Just wanted to post that the Christmas items are finally being added to the site.  New designs will be added as the day goes on today :)

Here's a sneak peek..

Hollydays, Baton Rouge

Just wanted to post about the upcoming show we will be participating in.  We will have limited production & customer service so please bear with us while we're gone.  Office will return to normal next week starting the 20th of October... stay tuned for Christmas intro!!

While we're talking about Hollydays, we were given the opportunity to provide a gift for the sustainers.  Here's a sneak peek sampling of what we did for them.  Thanks, Ashley for allowing me to help celebrate ya'lls 25th anniversary!

 

*laurie

More new note cards

These were inspired by some bookmarks I made this past summer for my kids summer reading.  I will be adding those very soon to the store as well!  Feel free to peruse the new note cards just added to the store!

enjoy*laurie

Tonsilitis this past week :(

I am finally making it out of the fog I've been in since late last week.  I have been battling a horrible sore throat & sinus infection.  Please accept my apologies for not being so productive.  Hopefully I will be more on the ball now that I am starting to feel better.

*laurie

New flat notes + folded notes

 

It's been a long time since I've had the time to design new note cards & flat notes.  I am pleased with the way these new ones came out :) So preppy & cute!  I  hope you enjoy & can find someone on your list who will love them as much as I do!

 

I even love the flat notes that coordinate just as much!

I am also working like a dog trying to get Christmas '08 complete!  I will be activating the existing Christmas category soon so please check back!!

enjoy*laurie

Over 140 new patterns just added!

Just a sneak peek of some of the new patterns just added!  Over 140 new patterns for your designing pleasure :) 

From precious fish to adorable floral patterns, this collection will sure take care of just about everyone's likes and fashionable tastes.

Holiday patterns have also been added in this bunch.  Click here to view the NEW PATTERNS!

Halloween stickers & inserts

Worked all day on getting some new Halloween stickers & patterns on the site.

Click here to shop HALLOWEEN GOODIES!

Tinsel & Treasures

Just a reminder that our first Junior League show of the season will be held this week.  Orders will not be processed until we return the week of September 29th.  Please allow one week delay in normal production time of 5-7 business days.  For weeks that we are working shows, turnaround time is 10 business days.

Thank you!!

*laurie

Rush is in the air!

Well, it's officially holiday shopping season!  I have really begun to feel the sense of urgency in people's orders flowing in.  Glad to know SOMEONE is shopping early. I swore I'd be done my shopping by this time (HA!). 

Quick update - all stamp orders that have been received have been input & are in production.. through today at 2pm Central!  Wanted to get those in to not delay from other orders being produced.  Still hammering away at those orders that have come in since last Monday. 

*laurie

Posh Sets, Now Available

Now you can order your very own "Show Special" online!  Just added to the cart.  Click the picture above to link to the page.

enjoy*laurie

Production begins again..

Just wanted to update the blog to let you all know that I am back to producing orders placed during the evacuation of Gustav.  I shipped everything that was behind from just before the evac yesterday.  Tracking numbers should be uploaded to your "Track Order" page.  I have a ton of orders to catch up on so please bear with me..

In the meantime, I wanted to share some "show goodies" that were delivered to local customers yesterday :)  This is the resident "Show Special"  Plate, Bowl & Sippy set... too cute :)  Too much purple & gold for me though... I'd rather them be blue & red... Go Rebs!!

 

oh & this is what Ev has to say about my decision to send him to 2 year old's for 3 days a week :)  This is at the END of the day when he sees me... :(  poor baby boy ... :*(

 

 

enjoy*laurie

Sick to my stomach!!!

 

 

I'm home.. trying to catch up & unpack.  But not so fast... look out for IKE!  What a nightmare.

*laurie

Signing off for a few days

We will be making our way back home tomorrow.  I am not sure when I will have internet access.  When I do, I will post.

Thanks!!
laurie

Order Updates, Status

We are thankful our lives will be returning to normal a lot sooner than we originally thought!  I will attempt to provide order status below.  If you have any questions about orders that are not listed, please feel free to email me.  Some of the orders listed below may have been split shipped.  In this case, I have listed the latest ship date on each order.

Order #	Ship Date
1705	UPS 8.7.08
1782	UPS 7.16.08
1783	USPS 8.7.08
1882	Delivered
1887	Picked up
1888	USPS 8.7.08
1889	USPS 8.7.08
1890	USPS 8.6.08
1892	USPS 8.4.08
1893	USPS 8.4.08
1894	Picked up
1895	USPS 8.12.08
1896	DHL 8.6.08
1897	DHL 8.6.08
1899	USPS 8.7.08
1900	Delivered
1901	Picked Up
1902	USPS
1903	Delivered
1904	USPS 8.14.08
1905	UPS 8.7.08
1906	USPS 8.5.08
1907	USPS 8.11.08
1908	USPS 8.12.08
1909	USPS 8.12.08
1910	FedEx 8.12.08
1911	Picked Up
1912	UPS 8.13.08
1913	Picked Up
1914	USPS 8.15.08
1915	USPS 8.19.08
1917	USPS 8.14.08
1918	USPS 8.14.08
1920	USPS 8.14.08
1921	USPS 8.14.08
1923	Delivered
1924	USPS 8.15.08
1925	USPS 8.15.08
1926	USPS 8.14.08
1927	USPS 8.14.08
1928	USPS 8.14.08; 8.18.08 (plate)
1929	USPS 8.20.08
1930	USPS 8.20.08
1931	USPS 8.20.09
1932	Delivered
1933	USPS 8.20.08
1934	USPS 8.20.08
1936	USPS 8.20.08
1937	USPS 8.20.08
1938	USPS 8.19.08
1939	Delivered
1940	USPS 8.20.08
1941	UPS 8.19.08
1942	UPS 8.20.08
1943	Delivered
1944	UPS 8.20.08
1945	Delivered
1947	FedEx 8.20.08
1948	USPS 8.19.08
1949	USPS 8.20.08
1950	USPS 8.21.08
1951	USPS 8.20.08
1952	FedEx 8.20.08
1953	Delivered
1954	UPS 8.20.08
1955	USPS 8.26.08
1956	USPS 8.20.08
1965	on order 8.28.08
1973	on order 8.29.08
1975	on order 9.2.08

The following orders are in progress & will be shipped as soon as I am back up & running again.  I do not have power at my office so we won't be able to return to our homes until that power is restored.  I will give a status on that as soon as it's available.

Order #	Status
1957	ready to ship
1959	order ready to deliver
1960	ready to ship
1961	order ready to ship
1962	ready to ship
1963	ready to ship
1964	ready to ship
1966	ready to ship
1967	ready to ship
1968	ready
1969	ready to ship
1970	ready to ship
1971	ready to ship - need stamp approval
1972	ready to ship
1974	ready to ship

we're here.. we're tired.. we're very, very worried

Needless to say, today has been one for the record books. I am exhausted beyond belief & I cannot imagine what we might be facing in the next couple of days when this Gustav makes landfall. Please understand that orders are being held & will not be processed until further notice. Thanks for your patience & understanding!!
*laurie

Not quite finished

Just wanted to let you all know that I did not get to finish the orders that I wanted to finish today.  I will be bringing all remaining work with me to our destination & will resume work hopefully on Monday.  Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns with your orders.

I was able to stop some stamps from shipping to SE Louisiana that were placed at the Helen Brett show but some plates were shipped already.  If SE Louisiana is affected by Gustav, we will clean up these issues at a later date.  My factories are alerted of this problem & I know will work with me to get you your orders ASAP.

Thanks for your thoughts & prayers at this unsettling time.  Please stay tuned to this blog as I will be updating as early as Sunday.

*laurie

Too close for comfort

In anticipation of Gustav making landfall sometime Tuesday, we will be closed from today until we are settled somewhere further north.  Printer, paper & other supplies will be making the move with us as we evacuate so no worries there.  Just trying to get all in house orders out of here before we leave.  I will be holding all orders within the state of Louisiana until we know where this storm ends up.  This includes posh plates, stamps & other merchandise that is on order.

I will be posting an order status as early as Sunday to let you all know where your orders are & when you should expect them. 

This is like DeJa Vu all over again!   Today is the 3 year anniversary of Katrina & my baby boy's 2nd birthday.  Katrina brings back bad memories... this pic was taken about 10 miles from my home.. although we didn't see this much water in my n'hood, it could very likely happen this go-round!  Please pray... !

please email me if you have questions but please do not expect to hear back from me until at least Sunday.  You can always leave me a message on my voicemail as well.

Thanks!!

*laurie

My new "Show Motto"

If You're Stalking,

Keep Walking!

I really think I am going to put a sign up in my booth from now on that says this.  More like it, I am going to start putting nasty notes on the bottoms of all of my products so when you go to flip them over you can be sure to find a cute, @$!&(Q# You! on the bottom (in a cute, pink & green font, of course). 

I mean really, people.  I have worked my butt off with this business.. it's not rocket science, by any means & I know that... but have common courtesy, couth, whatever you want to call it.  DON'T GRAB YOUR CHECKBOOK as the first item you find to write down skew numbers (you know who you are BAYOU GI**S GIRL) & product names... WTH?  You claim to have "top notch products" & "quality that cannot be matched"... well, FIND YOUR OWN PRODUCTS on your own & stop being RUDE!  So glad I told you something so you & others don't think I was "born yesterday."

SO there you have it... my show experience in a nutshell... this is EVERY show, EVERY day, EVERY few minutes.  Guess it's the best flattery in the world, right?  Wrong.  I take my business personal b/c that's what it is to me.. it's a personal choice to be able to take care of MY special needs kids... all of them are, right?  UGH!

STOP.

BEING.

RUDE.

GET.

YOUR.

OWN.

GIG!